08 Nights / 09 Days Biblical Tour
THE SEVEN CHURCHES WITH PATMOS

The Seven Churches With Patmos Tour Programme:

* Visited Sights: Hippodrome Square – Hagia Sophia – Topkapı Palace
After we have our breakfast at hotel, we check out from and proceed to Istanbul Old City. First we will visit Hippodrome Square which was the center of chariot races in Roman Era and also used as a public gathering center in Ottoman Era. After we enjoy history with beautiful remainings such as Egyptian Colomn, Serpentine Colomn , Constantine Colomn etc., we will continue our trip by visiting Hagia Sophia or St. Sophia which was built as an Orthodox Church by Emperor Justinian in 537 AD. However the giant worship center was converted in a Mosque by Sultan Mehmet the Second in 1453. It is now a museum where you can enjoy the harmony of two culture in the same building. After our time finishes at Hagia Sophia, we continue our trip visiting Topkapı Palace which was built by Sultan Mehmet the Second in 1475. Topkapı Palace is the biggest palace in Turkey and also one of the biggest in the World by its 80 acres area. Topkapı Palace is the most visited palace in Turkey while it offers to its visitors many beautiful small mansions with nice view of Bosphorus Strait or Golden Horn, many valuable jewelleries which was used by the Sultans, Holy Relics such as David’s sword, Moses’ Staff and so on. Afterwards we proceed to Bursa and upon arrival in Bursa, we check in hotel. Overnight in Bursa.

* Visited Sights: Pergamum – Thyateira – Ruins of Red Hall Basilica – Smyrna/Izmir – St. Polycarp Church 
After we have breakfast at hotel your guide will meet with you at your hotel lobby and will drive to Pergamum, actually called Bergama. It is one of the sites of the Seven Churches of Asia [Rev. 1:11; 2:12]. Here we explore the impressive Acropolis, the steepest theatre in the world, the Asklepion, famous medical Centre of classical times, see the Altar of Zeus which is mentioned as the «Throne of Satan» in the book of Revelation, the marble columns of the Temple of Trajan and the Library which was foremost in the world and was long a rival of the equally famous Library of Alexandria in Egypt. Its wealth of volumes was estimated at over 200,000. It inspired the invention of parchment.

Afterwards we continue our trip to Thyateira and its church (Revelation 2:18). Thyateira is now known as Akhisar and still located on one of the busiest trade roads as in Roman Era). After our visit there, we are going to visit the Ruins of Red Hall Basilica of Pergamon which was also one of the Seven Churches in Minor Asia (Revelation 2:12-17). Later on we proceed to Smyrna/Izmir also one of the Seven Churches in Minor Asia (Revelation 2:8-11). Izmir is the third largest populated city in Modern Turkey, and also home of many churches, among these churches we are going to visit St. Polycarp Church which is still active Catholic Church in Izmir. After our programme ends for the day, we proceed to hotel and check in. Overnight in Kuşadası.

* Visited Sights:  Grotto of St. John the Bible – Monastry of -Chirstodoulos Chapel
Early in the morning, we proceed to port to take ferry to Patmos Island. Upon arrival in Patmos meet local guide there and proceed to Grotto of St. John the Bible. Later we visit Monastry of Apoclypse and then we proceed to Chirstodoulos Chapel. After the tour, we proceed to port to take boat back to Kusadasi. Overnight in Kusadasi.

* Visited Sights:  Ephesus – Celsus Library, Trojan Fountain, Great Theater – Mary’s Church – Virgin Mary’s House – Tomb and Basilica of St. John the Bible
On this morning after we have our breakfast at hotel, we start our trip first visiting Leather Factory Outlet which is famous nationwide and the whole Europe. After our shopping time, we proceed to Ephesus which was the Roman Empire Capital for Asian states and also was one of the Seven Churches in Minor Asia ( Revelation 1:11, 2:1-7). In the famous Ephesus, we can still see the ruins of Celsus Library, Trojan Fountain, Great Theater where St Paul speeched twice and also was captured and was sent to Grotto for a couple of months. Also we will have chance to visit Mary’s Church where is the place for 4th Ephesian Council which resulted in divison of Catholics and Orthodoxes. On the same day, also we make a visit for Virgin Mary’s House which is believed to be one of the house used by Virgin Mary and also was visited a couple of times by Pope. Before we end our trip for today, we visit Tomb and Basilica of St. John the Bible. St. John has lived and died in Ephesus and spread Christianity for a while there. On our way to hotel, we stop by Olive Oil Shop and then we proceed to hotel. Overnight in Kusadasi.

* Visited Sights:  Ruins of the Church in Sardis (Revelation 3:1-5) – Ruins of St. John’s Church in Philadelphia (Revelation 3:7-13) Laodiceia (Revelation 3:14-22 ) – Cotton Castle Travertines / Hierapolis – St. Philip’s graveyard
After we have our breakfast at hotel, we check out and proceed to Ruins of the Church in Sardis (Revelation 3:1-5). Also Sardis was the city where the largest Jewish community lived during Roman Era. Afterwards we proceed to Ruins of St. John’s Church in Philadelphia which is one of the Seven Churches in Minor Asia (Revelation 3:7-13). After our time there, we proceed to Laodiceia which is one of the Seven Churches of Minor Asia (Revelation 3:14-22). Afterwards we proceed to Cotton Castle Travertines / Hierapolis to enjoy the beautiful White Travertines. Hierapolis also known as the place where St. Philip’s graveyard is located. After we visit His grave, we proceed to hotel. Overnight at Pamukkale.

* Visited Sights:  Psidian Antioch (ACTS 13:14-52) – Basilica of St. Paul – Caravansarai
After we have breakfast we check out and proceed to Cappadoica via Psidian Antioch and Konya. Psidian Antioch where is believed when St. Paul speeched about mission, almost all of the city population joined to hear Him (ACTS 13:14-52). Among the ruins of ancient Psidian Antioch, we are going to visit ruins of Basilica of St. Paul. Afterwards we continue our trip by sightseeing by bus in Konya and then visit Sultanhan Caravansarai Caravansarai which was used as an accomodation place for traders on Central Anatolia. Later upon arrival in Cappadocia we check in hotel. Overnight in Cappadocia

Day 07 – Full Day Cappadocia Red Tour (Breakfast, Lunch Included)

* Visited Sights:  Uchisar Castle – Goreme Open Air Museum – Love Valley – Avanos – Pashabag – Devrent Valley –  Avanos – Three Beauties ( Urgup )

After breakfast, we will visit Goreme Open Air Museum, which is on the UNESCO World Heritage list.  Our second stop will be Pashabag Valley, also called Monks Valley, which hosts some of the most beautiful examples of mushroom-shaped fairy chimneys.  Then we set off towards Devrent Valley, also called Dream Valley, where some of the rock formations are located.  After lunch in Avanos, we will visit the pottery workshop and watch a pottery making demonstration.  At the same time, we will learn the history of pottery from centuries to the present.  Our last stop is to see Uchisar Castle, one of the highest points of Cappadocia, as a panorama and learn its history, and then return to your hotel in Cappadocia.

Day 08 – Full Day Cappadocia Green Tour / Flight to Istanbul (Breakfast, Lunch Included)

* Visited Sights: Goreme Panorama Point – Kaymakli Underground City – Ihlara Valley – Belisirma Village – Selimiye Monastery – Pigeon Valley

After breakfast, your first stop will be to see the incredible views of the fairy chimneys and rock formations.  Then we set out to see Kaymakli underground city, one of the deepest underground cities in Cappadocia.  Immediately after seeing the underground city, we continue on our way to see Ihlara Valley.  Here we will have the chance to walk part of the valley and also see its frescoed churches. We take a break at Belisirma Village and have lunch.  Then we will visit the rock-carved Selime Monastery.  Our last stop will be to see the Cappadocia Pigeon Valley, which consists of pigeon houses carved over thousands of years.

Inclusions:

• 8 nights Accomodation
• Private Airport- Hotel transfers
• All meals mentioned in the itinerary (Breakfast x8 + Lunch x6)
• All group tours mentioned in the itinerary
• 1 Domestic Flight
• Transportation in a fully air – conditioned, non – smoking coach
• Professional English – speaking tour guides

Not Include:

• All entrance fees mentioned in the itinerary
• Drinks + Dinners
• International flights
• Ferry Tickets
• Insurance: All types
• Turkey entry visa
• Items of a personal nature such as alcoholic drinks, cold drinks, laundry
• Any others expenses which are not mentioned at the included section